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What Is a Tummy Tuck?

A tummy tuck, also known as an abdominoplasty, is a surgical procedure that restores a flatter, firmer abdomen by removing excess skin and tightening the underlying abdominal muscles. The goal goes beyond function to create natural-looking contours along the waistline, preserving the softness of your curves and ensuring harmony with the hips, pelvis, and lower torso. Here, Dr. Teitelbaum prioritizes elegance and authenticity over tightness, avoiding the overly flat or hollow appearance that often results from aggressive correction. Many patients undergo a tummy tuck in Los Angeles to address the following concerns: 

  • Discomfort or irritation from excess skin
  • A sense of fullness in the abdomen
  • Hernias
  • Lack of core strength from loose abdominal muscles

Sculpting a Smoother, Flatter Abdomen

Dr. Teitelbaum understands that every patient has their own motivations for seeking out a tummy tuck in Los Angeles, but all can expect the following benefits after their procedure:

  • Removal of excess or hanging skin
  • Improved core strength after muscle tightening
  • Enhanced waistline definition and body contour
  • Reduction of stretch marks below the navel
  • Relief from discomfort, chafing, or other irritation
  • Increased confidence and comfort
  • Better clothing fit, especially in tight or athletic pieces
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Who Is a Good Candidate for a Tummy Tuck in Los Angeles?

Ideal candidates for a tummy tuck in the Los Angeles & Santa Monica area are healthy, non-smoking adults who fit the following criteria:

  • Are at or near a stable weight
  • Have loose or sagging skin on their torso
  • Have weakened or separated abdominal muscles
  • Understand that this procedure is for tightening and sculpting, not weight loss

Dr. Teitelbaum recommends that patients should be done having children before exploring a tummy tuck. During your initial consultation, Dr. Teitelbaum will perform a physical exam to confirm your candidacy.

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Before & After Tummy Tuck

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Why Choose Dr. Teitelbaum?

Dr. Teitelbaum is one of the leading tummy tuck surgeons in Los Angeles, Santa Monica, and beyond. He learned from the greatest, studying under the pioneer of high-lateral-tension abdominoplasties to refine his techniques and advance his expertise.

Academic and Clinical Excellence

Prior to opening his private practice in 1995, Dr. Teitelbaum received his doctorate from the UCLA School of Medicine and completed his residency training at Harvard University. During his education, he worked in the plastic surgery wards at LA County Hospital and earned dual board certifications in General Surgery and Plastic Surgery. Now, he serves as an Associate Clinical Professor of Plastic Surgery at the UCLA School of Medicine in between performing successful procedures for patients. Dr. Teitelbaum has given lectures on five continents, including presentations on high-lateral-tension tummy tucks and related techniques. His research has been featured in journals like Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and he’s earned leadership roles in the following professional organizations:

  • Aesthetic Surgery Education and Research Foundation, 2016-2017 President
  • California Society of Plastic Surgeons, Treasurer and Legislative Committee Chair
  • Aesthetic Surgery Education and Research Foundation, Board Member

Putting Patients First

Patients come to Dr. Teitelbaum from across the country to experience his thoughtful care and high-quality, personalized procedures. His focus is on delivering natural-looking, anatomically aligned results without gimmicks or trendy, ineffective treatments. He and his team, which includes a Harvard-trained anesthesiologist, lead with integrity, transparency, and trust every step of the way.

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Your Private Consultation

To begin your tummy tuck journey, you’ll join Dr. Teitelbaum for a one-on-one consultation at his Los Angeles practice. There, you’ll discuss your aesthetic goals, concerns, and medical history, and Dr. Teitelbaum will evaluate your skin health, extent of laxity, and anatomy along your torso to determine if an abdominoplasty in Los Angeles is right for you.

He’ll provide targeted recommendations on the best surgical approach before building your customized treatment plan.

Pricing Your Procedure

Because tummy tucks are customized to each patient, the cost of your procedure will depend on the following factors:

  • Surgical complexity
  • Extent of correction
  • Type of tummy tuck performed
  • Whether additional procedures will be included in the same surgical session

Most patients pay between $25,500 - $40,000 for their procedure. After your consultation, Dr. Tetielbaum’s team will share a complete cost breakdown and financing options for total transparency.

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What to Expect From Your Tummy Tuck in Los Angeles

Your tummy tuck will be performed under general anesthesia at Dr. Teitelbaum’s accredited surgical center, which is exclusively for his patients. During surgery, Dr. Teitelbaum will make strategic incisions along your midsection to access your abdominal muscles, taking care to conceal them in the natural curves of your body. Depending on your needs, he’ll continue by removing excess skin and small fat deposits, tightening weakened abdominal muscles, and repairing hernias, with the full procedure taking up to three hours.

To streamline your procedure, Dr. Teitelbaum may use liposuction to remove small amounts of fat from your midsection, helping him achieve a smoother drape once excess skin is removed. Once your procedure is complete, all incisions will be closed with small sutures to promote a consistent scar and rapid healing.

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High-Touch Recovery

Recovery after a tummy tuck in Los Angeles may require up to three weeks of limited activity, allowing you to regain strength and mobility in a gentle, unhurried manner. Most patients stay at a recovery center for the first two nights after their surgery to receive individualized care and assistance from experienced nurses. Once home, you’ll may experience mild swelling, bruising, and soreness for up to a week, and you may need to wear compressive garments to support your healing tissues.

After your procedure, Dr. Teitelbaum and his team will provide you with extensive recovery instructions. This list may include the following items:

  • Incision site care and cleaning protocols
  • Supportive garment guidance
  • Recovery clothing requirements
  • Hygiene recommendations
  • Activity limitations
  • Swelling and pain management strategies
  • Sleep position restrictions
  • Side effects to monitor

Over the coming months, you’ll return to Dr. Teitelbaum’s Los Angeles office for a series of follow-up appointments. There, he’ll monitor your healing progress, remove any remaining sutures, and clear you to resume strenuous exercise when appropriate. Your final results will become apparent once residual swelling fades, which may take several weeks.

Types of Tummy Tucks

While every tummy tuck is slightly different, most fall into the following two main approaches:

Tummy Tuck After Pregnancy

Here, the focus is on re-strengthening the core by tightening the muscles and reconnecting them after pregnancy-related separation. In cases of rectus diastasis, muscles from the rib cage down to the pubic bone are affected, requiring a more complex surgery.

Tummy Tuck After Weight Loss

Post-weight-loss tummy tucks are more focused on addressing loose skin and correcting extensive skin laxity. These issues can give the body a deflated look, so Dr. Teitelbaum will focus on creating a tight, smooth figure.

Within these approaches, you may explore a mini tummy tuck, which focuses on the lower belly, or a reverse tummy tuck, which uses an incision below the breast crease to remove excess skin from the upper stomach.

Tummy Tuck FAQs

Will I still have stretch marks after my tummy tuck?

With a full tummy tuck, any stretch marks below the belly button will be removed during the removal of excess skin. Typically, any remaining stretch marks become less visible due to skin tightening.

Should I have a tummy tuck if I plan on getting pregnant in the future?

While it is okay to have another child after a tummy tuck, an additional pregnancy will affect your results. To avoid the need for multiple procedures, it’s best to wait until you are done expanding your family before getting a tummy tuck.

Will my results be permanent?

Yes. The results of a tummy tuck are designed to be permanent, and it’s one of the few procedures that almost never needs a revision. You can maintain your outcomes by establishing a healthy diet and exercise routine.

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